Country boy in music world

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 11

Country boy in music world

The music business is satirised in Grant Morris's play, "Barry." the third and final play in this year’s Comedy Playhouse series, screening on' One tonight at' 8 o'clock. When Barry Knox arrives in the big city, fresh off the farm, the first place he visits is the casualty department of the hospital (he sprained his ankle getting off the bus). In this unlikely venue, he meets a pill-popping music business magnet. Murdoch, who is there getting some stitches, and is under the influence of one-too-many pain killers. Before you can say "amphetamine." Barry finds himself

hired as the latest executive in Murdoch's empire. There he meets Andy. Murdoch's secretary. a health freak, who thinks Barry’s every simple utterance’ must have a deeper significance, and Warwick, who is terribly hip, and always talks in music-business jargon that is unlike anything Barry ever heard back home. Warwick’s efforts to teach Barry the tricks of the ’ music trade get taken all too I literally. ’ No-one. let alone Barry, I can understand how he got i the job. but with a little I grooming from Warwick and s a new tight black satin out-

fit. Barry is on his first assignment - managing the company’s latest protege - the ultra-punk band, Kiri and the Carnivores. (Kiri is keen to make "a concept albumn about revolutionary politics, intergaiactic warfare, nuclear power and the importance of good-fitting shoes for school children"). Barry is out to prove his worth, on the day when the band auditions with the man who controls the pub-circuit bookings, and when the moment arrives, suddenly hiring Barry does not seem such a bad idea after all. Barry is played by Brian

Sergent, better known for his e "Rock Around the Clock" _ character. Andy, the secrej tary, is Lynne Robson, soon n to be seen as a regular foil n for Billy T. James. Ellie • Smith, who plavs Kiri, has worked at the Mercury and Downstage over the last p year, since returning from London's West End. She is currently playing the title s role of Piaf at Downstage. ? The playwright. Grant Mori ris. was responsible for the t infamous revue. “Beyond ? Pork Palace." at this year’s i Auckland festival. i “Barry" was produced by Jeff Bennet for Television i New Zealand.